The renovated Sugihara House Museum in Kaunas - a symbolic link between history and today

The Sugihara House Museum, a unique historical site in Kaunas, opened its doors on 16 January with a renewed exposition by the renowned British artist Jenny Kagan. The museum invites visitors to revisit the heroic mission of Japanese diplomat Chiune Sugihara and his colleague, Dutch Honorary Consul Jan Zwartendijk, which saved thousands of Jewish lives during World War II.

The renovation of the exhibition was created by British artist Jenny Kagan, who became famous for her exhibition "Out of the Darkness" in Kaunas - European Capital of Culture 2022. Her creative solutions, interactive and emotionally engaging elements invite visitors to explore the complex fate of war refugees, the history of Lithuania and the world, and to experience the very rooms where fateful decisions were made. "This exhibition is not just about facts or history - it is also a reflection of contemporary issues. I hope it will take people on a sensitive emotional journey," said the artist. According to Kagan, this is not yet a finished project - the museum's exhibition will be added to, developed and refined until spring.

New technological solutions - interactive LED screens, 'talking books' and a unique audio guide experience - will help visitors to immerse themselves in the historical narrative. Documents, artefacts and visualisations reveal not only the stories of Lithuanian Jews, but also of refugees from Poland and the Netherlands.

The new exhibition was presented at the Sugihara House Museum to distinguished guests, sponsors, partners and supporters. During the event, Ramūnas Garbaravičius, Founder and Chairman of the Board of the Sugihara Foundation "Diplomats for Life", welcomed the fact that the museum, which he and his associates founded decades ago, has opened its doors today with a strong renewal, but continues to be built on the foundations of idealism, partnership and patronage. "The continuity of memory and action is particularly important at a time when history reminds us of the fragility of today's world," said Mr Garbaravičius, "and I am therefore delighted to be able to pass on this important mission of memory, responsibility and humanity to future generations, together with like-minded people and loved ones, in this unique place where the noble works of Sugihara and Zvartendijk are juxtaposed. I also sincerely believe that if there are miracles in this world, they are not related to technology and institutions, but to the human heart and the mysteries of humanity.

The launch event was also attended by a large number of distinguished guests, including Ambassador Tetsu Ozaki of Japan, Ambassador Jack Twiss Quarles van Ufford of the Netherlands, Ambassador Elizabeth Boyles of the United Kingdom, Ambassador Hadas Wittenberg Silverstein of Israel, former Minister of Culture Simonas Kairys, the Kaunas business community, and others.

Saulius Garbaravičius, a shareholder of the Sugihara Foundation "Diplomats for Life" and the founder of the Tangible Capital Fund for the maintenance of the museum, thanked the partners and sponsors for their invaluable support that helped to turn Jenny Kagan's ideas into reality. "By renovating the Sugihara House Museum, we are not only honouring the heroic feat of courageous diplomats and the spirit of inter-war Kaunas, but also building a strong moral foundation for future generations."

The exhibition not only highlights the exploits of Sugihara and Zwartendijk, but also the theme of Lithuania's Sovietization, and the unique humanitarian role of Kaunas between the wars, when Lithuania took in more than 30 000 war refugees. The museum also tells the stories of other diplomats who rescued Jews in Lithuania. "This exhibition is not only a historical narrative, but also an invitation to think about the importance of courage and humanism in today's world," says Jurgita Garbaravičienė, a board member of the Sugihara Foundation "Diplomats for Life", who has been supervising the renovation of the museum.

The project to renovate the Sugihara House Museum's exhibition was made possible thanks to the financial support of a large number of partners. The Embassies of the Netherlands, Germany, the USA, the United Kingdom and Sweden, the Lithuanian Council for Culture, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, the U.S. Commission on America's Heritage Abroad, and the Kaunas business community have all contributed to the project. "The support of all partners is very important, as it contributes to this meaningful mission of the Museum," said J.Garbaravičienė.